Havanese vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.
Not sure which breed fits your life?
Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.
Havanese vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
You’re not actually comparing a Havanese to a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon because you want two dogs. You’re comparing them because you’re torn between two kinds of love. One is the constant companion who lives in your pocket and your lap. The other is the rugged partner who wants to hike, hunt, or just burn energy in the backyard until everyone’s exhausted. The Havanese is a tiny tornado of charm. At under 13 pounds, this dog was made to survive in small apartments and big hearts. It’s goofy, affectionate, and sticks to you like Velcro. If you work from home or retire and want a little shadow that laughs at your jokes and tolerates your kids, this is your dog. But leave it alone eight hours a day? Don’t. It’ll bark, it’ll stress, it’ll unravel. And that silky coat? High-maintenance. Daily brushing isn’t optional. The Griffon is a different beast entirely. Think 50 to 70 pounds of wiry, enthusiastic muscle built for swamps, fields, and long days outdoors. It’s not just friendly. It’s driven. Needs real work, real space, real activity. A backyard isn’t enough. This dog wants purpose. While it adores kids and is deeply loyal, it’s not a couch ornament. It’s a working dog with a soft heart. The real insight? Both are affectionate and smart, but one wants to be with you, the other wants to do with you. Pick the Havanese if your life is inside. Pick the Griffon if your life spills into the woods, the lake, or the trail. One fits in a tote bag. The other belongs in a truck bed.
Trait-by-trait
Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.Where they diverge
Choose the Havanese if…
- Apartment dwellers
- Seniors
- Families with children
- You value good with other dogs — Havanese scores noticeably higher.
Choose the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon if…
- Hunters and bird dog enthusiasts
- Active families with outdoor lifestyles
- Those wanting a versatile gun dog
- You value drooling level — Wirehaired Pointing Griffon scores higher here.

